More Summer Fun! {Day Trips in CT}

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As summer begins, our family bucket lists are filled with all of our favorite Westchester County activities. But, some days call for a day trip! There are so many great places to visit in the New York Metro Area, and many are less than an hour away from home. Can’t decide which places will be worth the trip? Neither could we, so we asked the moms from our sister site, Fairfield County Moms Blog, to share their Favorite Places To Go in Fairfield County.

Maritime Aquarium
10 N. Water St., Norwalk, CT
Seals, sharks, and jellyfish are just a few of the sea creatures that call the Maritime Aquarium home; there are 300 species in all! Before you go, be sure to check “Aquarium Happenings” and time your visit around a seal feeding and/or shark dive. The touch tanks are another favorite activity for both children and adults. Also, aquarium admission now includes a standard IMAX movie.

Stepping Stones Museum for Children
303 West Ave., Norwalk, CT
Stepping Stones is great indoor fun for toddler-aged children and older. The museum offers a variety of STEAM exhibits; wait ‘til you see the Energy Lab. Your child(ren) are likely to be too busy playing to realize that they’re learning! After visiting the museum, head to Devon’s Place, a boundless playground with a small splash pad, located in the same park as Stepping Stones.

Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Rd., Stamford, CT
The Stamford Museum & Nature Center includes the animals on Heckscher Farm, an excellent playground, a number of nature trails (including an accessible trail), picnic areas, and more. During the summer months, activities are offered daily, and there’s a farmers’ market on Sundays. 

Jones Family Farms & Jones Winery
606 Walnut Tree Hill Rd., Shelton, CT
Jones Family Farm is Fairfield County’s go-to farm for strawberry and blueberry picking in the Summer, pumpkins in the Fall, and then Christmas Trees. Jones Winery offers wine tasting and small bites, and hosts “Summer Wine Downs” with live music on the Fridays of July and August.

Beardsley Zoo 
1875 Noble Ave., Bridgeport, CT
Beardsley Zoo, located in Beardsley Park, is home to more than 300 animals, including two endangered Amur Tiger cubs (born Nov. 2017). The zoo is a simple loop (an easy walk for little ones), and also includes a rainforest building and farmyard. Before you head home, be sure to take a ride or two on the indoor Carousel.

Silverman’s Farm
451 Sport Hill Rd., Easton, CT
Silverman’s Farm is a pick your own farm (peaches in the Summer, apples in the Fall), as well as an animal farm. For a fee, you can pet and feed sheep, goats, llamas, alpacas, and more. Their play area includes a small maze, a wooden tractor slide, and a wooden train set. There is also a farm market with delicious baked goods, fresh flowers, and great housewarming gifts.

The Discovery Museum & Planetarium 
4450 Park Ave., Bridgeport, CT
The Discovery Museum is full of hands-on STEM exhibits for pre-school and school-age children. The Adventure Science room is a favorite, inspired by the Adventure Park located in the trees directly behind the museum. Time your visit to the museum to include an age-appropriate planetarium show, included with admission.

The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts 
40 Jesup Rd., Westport, CT
The Levitt Pavilion hosts “50 Free Nights Under the Stars”, with a wide range of performing arts, including the Melissa & Doug Children’s Series every Wednesday night at 7pm. Worried about rush hour traffic? If you can, plan to arrive earlier in the day and enjoy the many shopping and dining options in downtown Westport.

Mill River Park & Carousel
1055 Washington Blvd., Stamford, CT
Mill River Park is being revitalized and as one of the many improvements, the grounds now include a beautiful new carousel. This summer, story time will be held by the carousel on Sunday mornings from 10am-11am. Before or after visiting the carousel, walk along the Mill River to the playground. Additionally, an interactive fountain (spring through fall)/ice skating rink (winter) will be opening soon.

Ferris Acres Creamery
144 Sugar St., Newtown, CT
Ferris Acres Creamery is said to be some of the best ice cream in Connecticut, served on a farm with cows grazing in the pasture. Looking for more family fun in Newtown? Check out the EverWonder Children’s Museum.

For more to-do in Fairfield County, check out the Explore Fairfield County series;
and, follow Fairfield County Moms Blog on Facebook and Instagram.